“If something hurts, keep silent”: 3 wise Arabic parables about what not to tell other people
In the life of each person, difficult moments appear that generate pain, sadness or unbearable emotions. In the face of these experiences, Arab wisdom reminds us that it is not always necessary to talk about them, because silence can become a powerful tool for protection and inner strength.
Through parables passed down from generation to generation, we learn to watch our words and to value discretion as an act of respect for oneself and others.
1. Don’t speak ill of yourself
In an Arab village lived a highly respected old man named Khalid. A young man came to him, dejected by his failures and mistakes, repeating:
“I am weak, useless, nothing in life goes well for me.”
Khalid listened to him and replied:
“Every word you speak has force. If you despise yourself, you reduce your own value. But if you recognize your virtues, you build the foundation for growth.”
Lesson: Our words shape our reality. Speaking respectfully about yourself is the first step to cultivating confidence and opening paths to progress.
2. If something hurts, keep quiet
In a city in the Mediterranean lived a wise man named Ezio. One day in the market he observed a merchant who, between sales, told everyone about his severe back pain.
Ezio looked at him and said,
“Brother, when you share your pain with everyone, you burden others with a burden that does not belong to them. Like a diseased root that infects the tree, your suffering spreads unnecessarily. Keep it, take care of it, and you will heal with more peace.”
The merchant reflected and stopped repeating his sorrows to each customer. Over time, he found relief and his businesses prospered.
Lesson: It is not always wise to expose our wounds to the world. Sometimes, strength is in working silently on oneself.
3. The Rose That Bloomed in Silence
In an ancient garden grew a rose of incomparable beauty. An old man, surprised by his splendor, asked him why he did not “show” his greatness with words.
The rose answered,
“My perfume and my presence speak for me. True beauty needs no explanation.”
The wise man understood that silence also communicates, and that many times the essential is transmitted without words.
Lesson: Authenticity is reflected in our actions and how we impact others, not in what we proclaim about ourselves.
Practical tips
- Take care of your inner language: talk about yourself with respect and avoid phrases that diminish your value.
- Choose who to share your pain with: not everyone will know how to understand or handle them; Look only for safe spaces.
- Learn to heal in silence: recollection and introspection can be more effective than constant venting.
- Trust your actions more than your words: the coherence between what you do and what you are leaves deeper traces than any speech.
Silence, well used, is not weakness, but a form of wisdom. Talking less about our pain and more about our strengths allows us to grow in peace, cultivate self-respect, and convey true serenity to the world.